Background: In the last three decades, the relationship between depression and cognition in
geriatric patients has been a popular topic among researchers and clinicians. Clinical and
epidemiological research has focused on the identification of risk factors that could be
modified in pre-dementia syndromes, at a preclinical and early clinical stage of dementia
disorders, with specific attention to the role of depression. The objective of this work was to
determine the relationship between depressive disorder and cognitive deterioration in
institutionalized older adults. Methods: In this descriptive, correlational study, data were
gathered from two nursing homes in the province of Jaen (Spain), from a random sample of
140 older adults (70 nondependent and 70 dependent). The variables were measured using
comprehensive geriatric assessment, the Cambridge Cognitive Test (CAMCOG), and the
Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Results: Depression was correlated with cognitive level in
the nondependent older adult sample (r = –0.471, p = 0.004). Age was inversely associated
with the score obtained in the CAMCOG of the nondependent older adult sample (r = –0.352,
p = 0.038). The functional capacity in several activities of daily living was correlated with the
score obtained in the CAMCOG in each of the two groups. Depression was more prevalent in
the dependent than in the nondependent older adults (82.85 vs. 57.14%). No association was
observed between institutionalization time and the score obtained on the cognitive and
affective scales (GDS and CAMCOG) in both groups (GDS-nondependent, r = –0.209, p =
0.234; CAMCOG-nondependent, r = 0.007, p = 0.967; GDS-dependent, r = 0.251, p = 0.152;
CAMCOG-dependent, r = –0.021, p = 0.907). Conclusion: Depressive symptomatology is
associated with cognitive deterioration. Depression is prevalent in institutions that care for
older, more dependent adults
